Confirming the competition venues, designing the events, and handling countless other tournament details.
Hosting the Triwizard Tournament smoothly and successfully required extensive preparation and long-term planning. Even before the competition officially began, the grounds had to be carefully arranged—especially with delegations from foreign Wizarding Schools soon to arrive.
Thus, during daytime classes, young wizards could spot figures in Ministry of Magic uniforms moving throughout Hogwarts.
"Draco, you seem preoccupied with those Ministry wizards. Is something wrong with them?"
"I heard they're from the Department of Magical Games and Sports, here for the Triwizard Tournament events."
"Tournament events?"
Hermione's words immediately caught Goyle and the others' attention. This was the first time she had given such an in-depth and thorough explanation in front of Draco's group. Normally, only Harry Potter and his friends received that kind of lecture.
"This book—One Hundred Tips for Triwizard Tournament Victory—says the Triwizard Tournament tests three magical disciplines. Each challenge examines the champions from various angles: their magical ability, strengths, courage, theory, reasoning, and their capacity to face danger."
"Sounds... pretty intense. So what were the events in the last Triwizard Tournament?"
"This book records that too. The first task involved climbing a mountain in Europe. But the Thunderbird, which was supposed to serve as the final obstacle, went out of control, and the competition nearly became the last Triwizard Tournament ever held."
"So that's why it was suspended for a century?"
This kind of magical lore, never mentioned in lessons, had several Slytherins—Pansy included—listening quietly to the Gryffindor know-it-all.
Given the tense relationship between their houses, the scene felt oddly delicate. But everyone knew that if not for Hermione's strange, unspoken connection with Draco, none of these Slytherins would be paying her such attention.
As for Draco himself, his focus wasn't on the tournament or its challenges. His thoughts were fixed on the true motives behind those Ministry officials...
...
From the Divination Tower, faint black dots could be seen circling in the air above the Quidditch pitch.
They weren't Quidditch players in training, but the same Ministry employees who had sparked the earlier discussion.
As Draco looked toward them, he couldn't help recalling something Astoria had once said...
Just then, as he drifted off in thought, Hermione beside him seemed to have an idea.
"It might sound strange coming from me, but don't you think the way this Triwizard Tournament is being organized feels a little too deliberate?"
"Deliberate? Granger, if you've got something to say, just say it."
Although Pansy disliked Hermione because of her closeness with Draco, she was always willing to hear Hermione out when the topic involved him. So, even though her tone was less than friendly, curiosity flickered behind it.
Ignoring Pansy's attitude, Hermione turned toward Draco, who still looked lost in thought, and unfolded that morning's Daily Prophet on the table.
"I think this is the Ministry's way of diverting attention. Look at this."
"This... it's about the Triwizard Tournament being held this October?"
"Yes. And while reviving the Triwizard Tournament is certainly a big deal, this is the first time in history the Daily Prophet has ever covered it like this."
"So you think it's a diversion tactic by the Ministry? That does sound possible."
Though it was only Hermione's speculation, Draco—who knew more than he could say—realized she might be closer to the truth than she knew.
Compared to Dumbledore's fear that Voldemort was secretly preparing his return and had already begun to act, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, preferred to believe otherwise. Clinging to denial, he and his trusted aides chose to oppose Dumbledore's warnings instead...
And that was how this strange situation had come to be.
If Alastor Moody was Dumbledore's move, then perhaps the revival of the Triwizard Tournament was Cornelius Fudge's counterplay.
Draco's fingers tapped softly against the Daily Prophet spread across the table as he thought. The analyses from Hermione and Astoria had given him more insight into the situation.
Yet, no matter how deeply he considered it, one thing remained unchanged—he still had to face the hostility of the wizards surrounding him...
...
As the Divination classroom gradually filled with young wizards, the Gryffindors could be seen whispering among themselves in Draco's direction, their faces lit with barely concealed, gloating smiles.
"What do you think? In the next wizard duel, will anyone step up to beat that... Death Eater?"
"Seamus, what are you talking about? Beat Malfoy?"
"Well... I don't really like that wizard either, but I have to admit, he's pretty strong."
Seamus Finnigan, who had been speaking quietly with Harry Potter, didn't mind being interrupted by Neville Longbottom and a few curious classmates who had turned their attention to him. Wearing a self-satisfied grin, he leaned in to explain.
"Hmph, you lot probably don't know yet, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had Professor Moody's second Defense Against the Dark Arts class this morning."
"So?"
"So that's the point. I'm telling you, the entire lesson was a full analysis of Draco Malfoy—his wand characteristics, his usual spellcasting habits, even theories on how he managed to defeat the Basilisk."
"???"
That piece of news left the young lions completely dumbfounded.
To have a lesson centered entirely on Draco Malfoy—it was unbelievable, even for students from a rival house.
But once the surprise faded, it was replaced by excitement and mischievous grins.
In their eyes, the new Professor Alastor Moody was their very own version of Snape...